Flea Market space baron's grave tempered with

RELATIVES of the late Sakubva Flea Market space baron, George Tsaura Gambe, who died were last months shocked to find out that his grave grossly violated.

Manica Post reported that apart from setting on fire of the wreaths that were put on the grave by mourners, perpetrators of the hard-to-believe underworld transgression dug up a portion of it and placed two fresh oranges.

The fruits were cut using a sharp razor blade. Unknown concoctions with a black pigment were subsequently staffed into the oranges that were carefully placed on the grave.

News of the rare occurrence have since spread in Mutare's oldest high-density suburb of Sakubva, with a litany of explanations being proffered.

When the news crew visited the grave at St Joseph's Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon in the company of George's sister, Cecilia, ashes of the burnt wreaths were all over.

The two oranges, which still looked fresh, were placed in the middle of the grave.

Cecilia was at a loss of words to explain the gory spectacle before her.

"It all started last week when my sister Mai Brian called me saying she had seen George in her dreams calling him to visit his stand (grave). At first we rubbished the dreams, but after visiting the grave we knew that our deceased brother was trying to communicate with us.

"We consulted our elders who then advised us not to touch the oranges and razor blade without sprinkling salt or urine as a way of incapacitating them. We did likewise and held a prayer session on the graveside," she said.

After digging dip into the matter, Cecilia said they were made to understand that the culprits who violated George's grave were fighting him in his death.

"These are people who have an axe to grind with my brother. They might have wronged him during his lifetime and he is now fighting back. By violating his grave they are trying to weaken him and try to sweep the issue under the carpet.

"This happens to many families, but what we know is that you will never win a war with a dead person," she said.

Cecilia said it was wise for those who have issues with her late brother to consult their family to find lasting solutions rather than taking fights to the graveyard.

"They must talk to us and if there are things that need to be sorted out, we are there to help them. It is inhuman and un-African to go and do your dirty things at someone's graves. You will not win the war," she warned.

Hundreds of people bade farewell to George last month in a rare funeral wake that brought Sakubva to a standstill.

Mourners blocked traffic, exhibiting wild behaviour that left many with mouth agape.

Traffic police officers who were deployed to maintain order had a torrid moment to quell the marauding motorists who were breaking every rule they know from the Highway Code.

All hell broke loose when his body was brought to Sakubva Flea Market where hundreds of vendors temporarily deserted their stalls to bid farewell to their fellow member who was in the executive of the committee running the affairs at the second-hand clothes market popularly known as Mupedzanhamo or Kotamayi Boutique.

Wild behaviour ruled the day as ladies of the night took time to show the appreciating crowd how they go about their business, blowing condoms all over the place, singing crazy songs.

Rank marshals were not to be outmatched as they bade farewell to a person they worked with well.